Match report

Reading Defeats Blackpool 3-2 in League One Clash

Reading
Reading
3–2
FT
Blackpool
Blackpool
Apr 27, 2024

Reading secured a hard-fought victory against Blackpool on Saturday in the League One fixture. The Royals came back strongly after conceding an early goal to K. Dembele for Blackpool at minute four. Despite the early setback, Reading took control of the game with goals from S. Smith (45+2), H. Knibbs (68), and F. Azeez (71). Blackpool managed a late consolation goal through J. Lawrence-Gabriel in stoppage time but could not prevent their defeat.

Key Facts

  • • Reading 3–2 Blackpool
  • • K. Dembele opened the scoring for Blackpool at minute four
  • • S. Smith equalized for Reading just before halftime (45+2)
  • • H. Knibbs and F. Azeez scored back-to-back goals to give Reading a lead in the second half
  • • J. Lawrence-Gabriel found the net for Blackpool in stoppage time

Lineups

Reading

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 22 Joel Pereira (G)
  • 2 C. Mola (D)
  • 27 A. Mbengue (D)
  • 24 T. Bindon (D)
  • 20 J. Dorsett (D)
  • 4 B. Elliott (M)
  • 29 L. Wing (M)
  • 11 O. Azeez (M)
  • 7 H. Knibbs (M)
  • 15 K. Ehibhatiomhan (M)
  • 10 S. Smith (F)

Substitutes

  • 28 Mamadi Camará
  • 8 C. Savage
  • 3 T. Holmes
  • 30 K. Abrefa
  • 19 J. Wareham
  • 1 D. Button
  • 36 M. Craig

Blackpool

Formation: 3-5-2

Starting XI

  • 32 D. Grimshaw (G)
  • 5 M. Pennington (D)
  • 21 M. Ekpiteta (D)
  • 3 J. Husband (D)
  • 22 C. Hamilton (M)
  • 11 K. Dembélé (M)
  • 7 G. Byers (M)
  • 10 S. Carey (M)
  • 15 H. Coulson (M)
  • 9 K. Joseph (F)
  • 18 J. Beesley (F)

Substitutes

  • 6 O. Norburn
  • 8 A. Morgan
  • 4 J. Lawrence-Gabriel
  • 17 M. Virtue-Thick
  • 35 Z. Emmerson
  • 1 R. O'Donnell
  • 20 O. Casey

Timeline

  1. Blackpool
    4' Blackpool Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Dembele · Assist: K. Joseph
  2. Reading
    45'+2 Reading Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Smith · Assist: F. Azeez
  3. Reading
    66' Reading subst · Substitution 1
    Off: K. Ehibhatiomhan · On: Mamadi Camará
  4. Reading
    68' Reading Goal · Normal Goal
    H. Knibbs · Assist: Mamadi Camará
  5. Reading
    71' Reading Goal · Normal Goal
    F. Azeez · Assist: S. Smith
  6. Reading
    76' Reading subst · Substitution 2
    Off: B. Elliott · On: Charlie Savage
  7. Reading
    76' Reading subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Bindon · On: T. Holmes
  8. Blackpool
    77' Blackpool subst · Substitution 1
    Off: George Byers · On: O. Norburn
  9. Blackpool
    77' Blackpool subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Carey · On: A. Morgan
  10. Blackpool
    78' Blackpool subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Hamilton · On: J. Lawrence-Gabriel
  11. Blackpool
    84' Blackpool subst · Substitution 4
    Off: K. Joseph · On: M. Virtue-Thick
  12. Reading
    84' Reading subst · Substitution 5
    Off: F. Azeez · On: J. Wareham
  13. Blackpool
    90'+2 Blackpool Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Lawrence-Gabriel
  14. Reading
    90'+6 Reading Card · Yellow Card
    J. Wareham

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Reading Blackpool
Fouls 8 11
Pass Accuracy 73% 76%
Offsides 1 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 18 10
Corners 6 2
Total Passes 398 462
Yellow Cards 1 0
Blocked Shots 4 0
Shots on Target 6 6
xG — —
Shots off Target 8 4
Possession 47% 53%
Accurate Passes 292 353
Shots Inside Box 14 8
Saves 4 3
Shots Outside Box 4 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Reading's quick response with S. Smith's goal just before halftime shifted momentum in their favor
  • ▸ Back-to-back goals from H. Knibbs and F. Azeez solidified Reading’s lead, turning the game around decisively
  • ▸ Blackpool showed late fight but failed to overturn the three-goal deficit despite a consolation goal